I’m writing this while sitting in my Airbnb in Beijing drinking cheap Chinese beer (there’s a sentence I never thought I’d say). This trip I’m taking through China is getting better and better and I wanted to share one of my recent experiences with you – the Muslim Quarter in the incredible city of Xi’an. Previously, I’d been in Shanghai and Hong Kong, and while totally awesome, they are very cosmopolitan, international cities and just don’t have the same “old China” feeling that Xi’an has. I loved the three days I spent there, and I fell in love one particular area – the Muslim Quarter. The Muslim Quarter is the center of the Muslim community in Xi’an and it’s a true utopia for any foodie – an enchanting place where Asian & Muslim flavors clash in such a delicious way. I walked the streets here for hours my first day in the city and I could go back and spend days there and never quench my thirst for this amazing little area and all it has to offer. Let me share some of the unique things I ate with you while I was there. (Warning – I don’t know exactly what most of these things were, but I’m so psyched to share them with you none the less.)
This was some kind of very spicy lamb kebab. They sprinkled what looked like chili flakes on it (after motioning to the spice to ask if I wanted the heat to which I responded with a vigorous nod yes).
One of the most delicious things I’ve had yet on this trip (or ever!). A spicy noodle dish with veggies and tofu that an adorable young Asian girl and her mother were serving at a tiny restaurant in the Muslim Quarter. Of course they spoke no English and the menu was fully in Chinese, so I can’t tell you exactly what it was.
This grilled tofu with scallions and spices was one of the most unique things I have ever had. Tofu lovers – I urge you to visit Xi’an immediately and find this!
And, of course, we’re in China – dumplings everywhere! I think I’ve eaten enough dumplings to last me a lifetime but that is not stopping me from eating even more.
You saw this yogurt all over Xi’an and the Muslim Quarter and I couldn’t resist trying it even though my stomach was telling me it couldn’t handle anymore. (It changed its tune after one bite of this magical delight – I ate the whole damn thing.)
And they were totally just butchering whole animals right in the street for their delicious concoctions – how cool is that? (I say VERY.)
A type of popular Muslim flatbread that seemed to be popular eaten with kebabs.
A drink you saw throughout the Muslim Quarter and Xi’an – fresh squeezed pomegranate juice! Now I love pomegranate seeds, but the juice itself was a little too sweet and sticky for me. I could only drink about half of mine. It was good, but VERY sweet!
Alright, I can’t lie, y’all – I have NO idea what this was. Some type of delicious meat kebab. You’d think with all the eating I do my palate could at least tell me what type of meat this was, but nope. It was super yummy though. And please comment and tell me if you know what it is!
And just one one more look on this insanely cool community. I love you Muslim Quarter! I hope one day we shall meet again!
[…] Because they’re pretty cool – one of my favorite things I’ve ever written was on the food in the Muslim Quarter of Xi’an. But alas, back to beautiful Hawaii and more specifically, the island of Maui where this fabulous […]